NEST 2021
The National Entrance Screening Test or NEST is a compulsory online/computer based test
for admission to the five year Integrated MSc programme in Biology, Chemistry,
Mathematics and Physics, at National Institute of Science Education and Research
(NISER), Bhubaneswar and University of Mumbai – Department of Atomic Energy Centre
for Excellence in Basic Sciences (UM–DAE CEBS), Mumbai.
Both NISER and UM-DAE CEBS are autonomous institutions established by the Department
of Atomic Energy (DAE), Government of India, in 2007. NISER is an off-campus centre of
Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI) and all academic programmes of NISER are
affiliated to HBNI. Although CEBS is a DAE institution, it is physically located in the Kalina
campus of University of Mumbai and the degrees to students are awarded by Mumbai
University.
Eligibility criteria for admission to the programme:
Educational qualification: Candidates seeking admission to NISER and UM–DAE CEBS for
the Integrated MSc programme 2021–26 should be from regular science stream in classes
XI and XII. It is mandatory for all aspiring candidates to write the NEST 2021 examination.
Candidates must have passed the class XII examination from any recognised Board in
India in the years 2019 or 2020 or should be appearing for the same in 2021. Candidates
who are appearing for the board examination in 2021 must pass it by the time of
admission into the programme. Also, candidates must secure at least 60% marks in
aggregate or equivalent grade in class XII examination to be eligible for admission to
NISER and CEBS. Candidates satisfying all the above criteria will be considered for
admission strictly on the basis of the Merit List of NEST 2021. For candidates belonging to
scheduled castes (SC), scheduled tribes (ST) and Divyangjan categories, the minimum
requirement of marks is relaxed to 55% in aggregate or equivalent grade in class XII
examination. Where only letter grades are available, a certificate from the concerned
Board specifying equivalent percentage of marks is required to be submitted. In absence
of such a certificate, the decision of the admissions committee of the concerned
institution will be final.